Holiday Pet-acular: Pet-Friendly Resolutions

Time seems to be speeding up—the time between my resolutions and my assessment of what I actually accomplished this year. How did you do with your resolutions in 2016? Are you looking forward to a fresh start?

When it comes to some pet-friendly resolutions for the New Year, here are some ideas as you ponder your potential in 2017:

1. Learn something new.

Did you know that we have monthly educational lectures and workshops right here in the shelter? Resolve to attend PETtalks regularly on the second Thursday each month from 6-8 p.m. in the WHS Education Hall. We have great topics for 2017 including fixing dog behavior issues, horse hoof care, bird training, aggression in cats and much more. Join us!

3. Adopt a senior or long-term Pet.

We always have animals who need a home, and sometimes, our best pets get overlooked. Take a chance giving your love this year to an older pet who still has a lot of love to give back. You can make a huge difference in his or her final years. Check out our available pets.

4. Become a foster parent!

Can’t commit to a long-term relationship? We have special needs for kitten and puppy foster families all the time, as well as needs for senior dog, shy dog, and hospice fosters. We are building a behavior foster group, so dogs that need a little in-home training can get successfully adopted. ALL of our fosters receive support, supplies, and training from our Fabulous Foster Coordinator. Get in touch with Ashleigh at ashleigh.young@whs4pets.org.

5. Train your pooch.

January is National Train Your Dog month, so we’ll be offering new classes and workshops for you to attend. And discounts, too. Don’t miss this opportunity to start fresh with your dog and solve problem behaviors, build your friendship and just have fun, too.

6. Clear clutter with a donation.

We need things you have – and you can clean out your clutter at the same time! Take a peek at our shelter wish list and consider hauling your extra things to our thrift store. We are a non-profit and can always use your tax-deductible donations, too. Just drop in or make a monetary donation here.

7. Get outside.

Resolve to get your dog out at least once a week for a sniffy walk or trail hike. This little bit of enrichment will be great for you and your pet in terms of together-time and mental health. One great way to do this is to visit our weekly canine playgroups! Much safer than the dog park, our playgroups include fabulous CPDT-KA certified instructors who will help you learn dog body language while your dog has a fabulous and safe time! These meet weekly on Sundays. Register here.

8. Skip the Netflix binge.

We have regular television programming on CCTV, including features on our adoptable pets and the WHS Pets and People show. Tune in as we discuss important humane issues, behind-the-scenes at the shelter, specific solutions to training issues, and more. You can see our archived shows or check out the Salem CCTV channel 23 where our show plays regularly.

if you’re still note sure about your New Year’s resolution, consider this: Commit to making this the year you help serve pets and people in your community. We’d love to partner with you to make 2017 the best year ever at Willamette Humane Society!

Named “the dog lady” by peers in grammar school, Catherine Comden, CPDT-KA first became a California licensed veterinary technician, then finished a BA in Psychology while doing undergraduate research on the human-canine bond at the University of Montana. After that, she was recruited by the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital to develop the ABC puppy school, to assist during veterinary behavior consultations and to help create and instruct the Purdue DOGS! behavior modification course for veterinary staff. Catherine is now an adjunct faculty member at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon and instructor for the state’s only community college level professional dog trainer certification preparation program which began in Fall 2014.